Even though writer/director John Carney has enjoyed success in Irish film and television with the likes of Zonad, On The Edge and Bachelors Walk, outside of his home country he is most known for 2007's Once, his low budget feature which celebrated the power of music, set in the world of Dublin buskers. Once went onto be a massive critical success, and has been adapted into a Tony award winning play. Carney returns to that well somewhat with Begin Again. The original title, Can a Song Save Your Life?, tells you all you need to know about the movie, a feel good celebration of music and staying true to yourself, all set against the back drop of New York City.
Begin Again starts in the middle, with Greta (Keira Knightley) performing an aggressive song written about her ex Dave (Adam Levine) on the stage of a New York dive bar, watched by down on his luck music producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo). Through some cleverly structured flashbacks, we find out how they to the current point in their lives: Dave let being a rising rock star go to his head, dumping Greta unceremoniously through song, while Dan's alcoholism and inability to sign an artist in years has cost him his job at the record label he founded. Seeing Greta's raw talent, Dan proposes they record an album, using the city as their studio, in an effort to turn both their lives around.
The comparisons to Once will abound with Begin Again, but thinking too deeply on them will take away from what is ultimately a sweet, funny, and feel good movie. It hits the ground running, wasting to time in entwining you in the lives of the main characters, and moves forward with such a great pace that the end credits finished rolling, and I still wanted more. Sure, it gets a bit heavy handed with Greta's message of making music for the sake of making music and turning your back on any monetary gain, but the script fizzes with so much energy that it is easy to over look. There is a love story between Greta and Dan that is masterfully played out, being so sweet and subtle, that does keep you guessing on which way it will go, all capped of with a satisfying conclusion. There are so many nice little moments in this movie that will melt the hardest of hearts and put a smile on any ones face, with the music playing a big part of that. With contributions from the likes of Carney, Gregg Alexander, and Glen Hansard, amongst others, the songs float effortlessly in an out of proceedings. Even at its most fantastical, an early sequence where instruments come to life to accompany Greta on stage, the movie doesn't fail to feel natural in its use of music, and some unique touches, such as songs been edited as we hear them, only elevate proceedings further. I dare anyone watching this not to tap their feet or drum their fingers in time to this movie.
The lead pair work off each other so well here, with Ruffalo just pipping Knightley to the post. Dan is such a likable character, winning you over with the slightest of cheeky smiles, and spending just a few short minutes with him makes you feel as passionate about music as he does. Like everyone in the film, it comes off as incredibly sincere, and he puts real heart into it. Knightley is no slouch either, with some scenes only needing a change in her demeanor, or sometimes just a look, to convey pages worth of dialogue. She does start to lose you towards the end of the film, which throws a predictable curve ball her way, but over all, she puts in great work here. Levine surprisingly plays the douchey, full of himself musician with aplomb, a role which is a fantastic send up of the music industry. The main cast are well served by a reliable supporting, including Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden, and Catherine Keener.
This was never going to come close to the stripped down charm of Once, but as a movie in its own right, Begin Again is endlessly charming, beautifully written, and never fails to put a smile on your face.
Begin Again starts in the middle, with Greta (Keira Knightley) performing an aggressive song written about her ex Dave (Adam Levine) on the stage of a New York dive bar, watched by down on his luck music producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo). Through some cleverly structured flashbacks, we find out how they to the current point in their lives: Dave let being a rising rock star go to his head, dumping Greta unceremoniously through song, while Dan's alcoholism and inability to sign an artist in years has cost him his job at the record label he founded. Seeing Greta's raw talent, Dan proposes they record an album, using the city as their studio, in an effort to turn both their lives around.
The comparisons to Once will abound with Begin Again, but thinking too deeply on them will take away from what is ultimately a sweet, funny, and feel good movie. It hits the ground running, wasting to time in entwining you in the lives of the main characters, and moves forward with such a great pace that the end credits finished rolling, and I still wanted more. Sure, it gets a bit heavy handed with Greta's message of making music for the sake of making music and turning your back on any monetary gain, but the script fizzes with so much energy that it is easy to over look. There is a love story between Greta and Dan that is masterfully played out, being so sweet and subtle, that does keep you guessing on which way it will go, all capped of with a satisfying conclusion. There are so many nice little moments in this movie that will melt the hardest of hearts and put a smile on any ones face, with the music playing a big part of that. With contributions from the likes of Carney, Gregg Alexander, and Glen Hansard, amongst others, the songs float effortlessly in an out of proceedings. Even at its most fantastical, an early sequence where instruments come to life to accompany Greta on stage, the movie doesn't fail to feel natural in its use of music, and some unique touches, such as songs been edited as we hear them, only elevate proceedings further. I dare anyone watching this not to tap their feet or drum their fingers in time to this movie.
The lead pair work off each other so well here, with Ruffalo just pipping Knightley to the post. Dan is such a likable character, winning you over with the slightest of cheeky smiles, and spending just a few short minutes with him makes you feel as passionate about music as he does. Like everyone in the film, it comes off as incredibly sincere, and he puts real heart into it. Knightley is no slouch either, with some scenes only needing a change in her demeanor, or sometimes just a look, to convey pages worth of dialogue. She does start to lose you towards the end of the film, which throws a predictable curve ball her way, but over all, she puts in great work here. Levine surprisingly plays the douchey, full of himself musician with aplomb, a role which is a fantastic send up of the music industry. The main cast are well served by a reliable supporting, including Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden, and Catherine Keener.
This was never going to come close to the stripped down charm of Once, but as a movie in its own right, Begin Again is endlessly charming, beautifully written, and never fails to put a smile on your face.
